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Iran (Islamic Republic of)'s

Constitution of 1979 with

Amendments through 1989

constituteproject.org PDF generated: 17 Jan 2018, 17:07

Iran (Islamic Republic of) 1979 (rev. 1989)

Table of contents

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Preamble

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8CHAPTER I: General Principles

. . . 12CHAPTER II: The Official Language, Script, Calendar, and Flag of the Country

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13CHAPTER III: The Rights of the People

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16CHAPTER IV: Economy and Financial Affairs

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20CHAPTER V: The Right of National Sovereignty and the Powers DerivingTherefrom

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21CHAPTER VI: The Legislative Power

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21SECTION 1: The Islamic Consultative Assembly

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22SECTION 2: Powers and Authority of the Islamic Consultative Assembly

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27CHAPTER VII: Councils

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28CHAPTER VIII: The Leader or Leadership Council

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31CHAPTER IX: The Executive Power

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31SECTION 1: The Presidency

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34SECTION 2: The President and Ministers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36SECTION 3: The Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37CHAPTER X: Foreign Policy

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38CHAPTER XI: The Judiciary

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41CHAPTER XII: Radio and Television

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42CHAPTER XIII: Supreme Council for National Security

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42CHAPTER XIV: The Revision of the Constitution



Preamble• Right to self determination• Reference to fraternity/solidarity

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful• God or other deities

We sent aforetime Our apostles with clear signs, and sent down with them the Bookand the Balance that men may uphold justice... (57:25)

The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran sets forth the cultural, social,political, and economic institutions of Iranian society on the basis of Islamicprinciples and norms, which represent the earnest aspiration of the Islamic Ummah.This basic aspiration was made explicit by the very nature of the great IslamicRevolution of Iran, as well as the course of the Muslim people's struggle, from itsbeginning until victory, as reflected in the decisive and forceful slogans raised by allsegments of the populations. Now, at the threshold of this great victory, our nation,with all its being, seeks its fulfilment.

The basic characteristic of this revolution, which distinguishes it from othermovements that have taken place in Iran during the past hundred years, is itsideological and Islamic nature. After experiencing the anti-despotic constitutionalmovement and the anticolonialist movement centred on the nationalization of the oilindustry, the Muslim people of Iran learned from this costly experience that theobvious and fundamental reason for the failure of those movements was their lack ofan ideological basis. Although the Islamic line of thought and the direction providedby militant religious leaders played an essential role in the recent movements,nonetheless, the struggles waged in the course of those movements quickly fell intostagnation due to departure from genuine Islamic positions. Thus it was that theawakened conscience of the nation, under the leadership of the eminent marji'al-taqlid, Ayatullah al-'Uzma Imam Khumaynî, came to perceive the necessity ofpursuing an authentically Islamic and ideological line in its struggles. And this time,the militant 'ulama' of the country, who had always been in the forefront of popularmovements, together with the committed writers and intellectuals, found newimpetus by following his leadership. (The beginning of the most recent movement ofthe Iranian people is to be put at 1382 of the lunar Islamic calendar, corresponding to1341 of the solar Islamic calendar [1962 of the Christian calendar]).

• Political theorists/figures• Reference to country's history• Crimes of the previous regime

The Dawn of the Movement

The devastating protest of Imam Khumaynî against the American conspiracy knownas the "White Revolution", which was a step intended to stabilize the foundations ofdespotic rule and to reinforce the political, cultural, and economic dependence ofIran on world imperialism, brought into being a united movement of the people and,immediately afterwards, a momentous revolution of the Muslim nation in the monthof Khurdad, 1342 [June 1963]. Although this revolution was drowned in blood, inreality it heralded the beginning of the blossoming of a glorious and massive uprising,which confirmed the central role of Imam Khumaynî as an Islamic leader. Despite hisexile from Iran after his protest against the humiliating law of capitulation (whichprovided legal immunity for American advisers), the firm bond between the Imamand the people endured, and the Muslim nation, particularly committed intellectualsand militant 'ulama', continued their struggle in the face of banishment andimprisonment, torture and execution.

• Political theorists/figures• Reference to country's history• Crimes of the previous regime



Throughout this time, the conscious and responsible segment of society was bringingenlightenment to the people from the strongholds of the mosques, centres ofreligious teaching, and universities. Drawing inspiration from the revolutionary andfertile teachings of Islam, they began the unrelenting yet fruitful struggle of raisingthe level of ideological awareness and revolutionary consciousness of the Muslimpeople. The despotic regime which had begun the suppression of the Islamicmovement with barbaric attacks on the Faydiyyah Madrasah, Tehran University, andall other active centres of revolution, in an effort to evade the revolutionary anger ofthe people, resorted to the most savage and brutal measures. And in thesecircumstances, execution by firing squads, endurance of medieval tortures, and longterms of imprisonment were the price our Muslim nation had to pay to prove its firmresolve to continue the struggle. The Islamic Revolution of Iran was nurtured by theblood of hundreds of young men and women, infused with faith, who raised theircries of "Allahu Akbar" at daybreak in execution yards, or were gunned down by theenemy in streets and marketplaces. Meanwhile, the continuing declarations andmessages of the Imam that were issued on various occasions, extended anddeepened the consciousness and determination of the Muslim nation to the utmost.

Islamic Government

The plan of the Islamic government based upon wilayat al-faqih, as proposed byImam Khumaynî at the height of the period of repression and strangulation practisedby the despotic regime, produced a new specific, and streamlined motive for theMuslim people, opening up before them the true path of Islamic ideological struggle,and giving greater intensity to the struggle of militant and committed Muslims bothwithin the country and abroad.

• Political theorists/figures

The movement continued on this course until finally popular dissatisfaction andintense rage of the public caused by the constantly increasing repression at home,and the projection of the struggle at the international level after exposure of theregime by the 'ulama' and militant students, shook the foundations of the regimeviolently. The regime and its sponsors were compelled to decrease the intensity ofrepression and to "liberalize" the political atmosphere of the country. This, theyimagined, will serve as a safety valve, which would prevent their eventual downfall.But the people, aroused, conscious, and resolute under the decisive and unfalteringleadership of the Imam, embarked on a triumphant, unified, comprehensive, andcountrywide uprising.

The Wrath of the People

The publication of an outrageous article meant to malign the revered 'ulama' and inparticular Imam Khumaynî on 15 Day, 1356 [January 7, 1978] by the ruling regimeaccelerated the revolutionary movement and caused an outburst of popular outrageacross the country. The regime attempted to quell the volcano of the people's angerby drowning the protest and uprising in blood, but the bloodshed only quickened thepulse rate of the Revolution. The seventh-day and fortieth-day commemorations ofthe martyrs of the Revolution, like a series of steady heartbeats, gave greatervitality, intensity, vigour, and solidarity to this movement all over the country. In thecourse of this popular movement, the employees of all government establishmentstook an active part in the effort to overthrow the tyrannical regime by calling ageneral strike and participating in street demonstrations. The widespread solidarityof men and women of all segments of society and of all political and religious factions,played a clearly determining role in the struggle. Especially the women were activelyand massively present in a most conspicuous manner at all stages of this greatstruggle. The common sight of mothers with infants in their arms rushing towardsthe scene of battle and in front of the barrels of machine-guns indicated the essentialand decisive role played by this major segment of society in the struggle.

• Political theorists/figures



The Price the Nation Paid

After slightly more than a year of continuous and unrelenting struggle, the sapling ofthe Revolution, watered by the blood of more than 60,000 martyrs and 100,000wounded and disabled, not to mention billions of tumans' worth of property damage,came to bear fruit amidst the cries of "Independence! Freedom! Islamicgovernment!" This great movement, which attained victory through reliance uponfaith, unity, and the decisiveness of its leadership at every critical and sensitivejuncture, as well as the self-sacrificing spirit of the people, succeeded in upsetting allthe calculations of imperialism and destroying all its connections and institutions,thereby opening a new chapter in the history of all embracing popular revolutions ofthe world.

Bahman 21 and 22, 1357 [February 12 and 13, 1979] witnessed the collapse of themonarchical regime; domestic tyranny and foreign domination, both of which werebased upon it, were shattered. This great success proved to be the vanguard ofIslamic government--a long-cherished desire of the Muslim people--and broughtwith it the glad tidings of final victory.

Unanimously, and with the participation of the maraji' al-taqlid, the 'ulama' of Islam,and the leadership, the Iranian people declared their final and firm decision, in thereferendum on the Islamic Republic, to bring about a new political system, that of theIslamic Republic. A 98.2% majority of the people voted for this system. TheConstitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, setting forth as it does the political,social, cultural, and economic institutions and their relations that are to exist insociety, must now provide for the consolidation of the foundations of Islamicgovernment, and propose the plan of a new system of government to be erected onthe ruins of the previous taghuti order.

The Form of Government in Islam

In the view of Islam, government does not derive from the interests of a class, nordoes it serve the domination of an individual or a group. It represents rather thecrystallization of the political ideal of a people who bear a common faith andcommon outlook, taking an organized form in order to initiate the process ofintellectual and ideological evolution towards the final goal, i.e., movement towardsAllah. Our nation, in the course of its revolutionary developments, has cleansed itselfof the dust and impurities that accumulated during the taghuti past and purged itselfof foreign ideological influences, returning to authentic intellectual standpoints andworld-view of Islam. It now intends to establish an ideal and model society on thebasis of Islamic norms. The mission of the Constitution is to realize the ideologicalobjectives of the movement and to create conditions conducive to the developmentof man in accordance with the noble and universal values of Islam.

• God or other deities• Motives for writing constitution• Status of religious law

With due attention to the Islamic content of the Iranian Revolution, which has been amovement aimed at the triumph of all the mustad'afun over the mustakbirun, theConstitution provides the necessary basis for ensuring the continuation of theRevolution at home and abroad. In particular, in the development of internationalrelations, the Constitution will strive with other Islamic and popular movements toprepare the way for the formation of a single world community (in accordance withthe Qur'anic verse "This your community is a single community, and I am your Lord,so worship Me" [21:92]), and to assure the continuation of the struggle for theliberation of all deprived and oppressed peoples in the world.

With due attention to the essential character of this great movement, theConstitution guarantees the rejection of all forms of intellectual and social tyrannyand economic monopoly, and aims at entrusting the destinies of the people to thepeople themselves in order to break completely with the system of oppression. (Thisis in accordance with the Qur'anic verse "He removes from them their burdens and



the fetters that were upon them" [7:157]).

• Motives for writing constitution

In creating, on the basis of ideological outlook, the political infrastructures andinstitutions that are the foundation of society, the righteous will assume theresponsibility of governing and administering the country (in accordance with theQur'anic verse "Verily My righteous servants shall inherit the earth" [21:105]).Legislation setting forth regulations for the administration of society will revolvearound the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Accordingly, the exercise of meticulous andearnest supervision by just, pious, and committed scholars of Islam (al-fuqaha'al-'udul) is an absolute necessity. In addition, the aim of government is to foster thegrowth of man in such a way that he progresses towards the establishment of aDivine order (in accordance with the Qur'anic phrase "And toward God is thejourneying" [3:28]); and to create favourable conditions for the emergence andblossoming of man's innate capacities, so that the theomorphic dimensions of thehuman being are manifested (in accordance with the injunction of the Prophet (S),"Mould yourselves according to the Divine morality"); this goal cannot be attainedwithout the active and broad participation of all segments of society in the process ofsocial development.

• Motives for writing constitution• Status of religious law

With due attention to this goal, the Constitution provides the basis of suchparticipation by all members of society at all stages of the political decision-makingprocess on which the destiny of the country depends. In this way, during the courseof human development towards perfection, each individual will himself be involvedin, and responsible for the growth, advancement, and leadership of society. Preciselyin this lies the realization of the government of the mustad'afun upon the earth (inaccordance with the Qur'anic verse "And we wish to show favour to those who havebeen oppressed upon earth, and to make them leaders and the inheritors" [28:5]).

• Motives for writing constitution• Status of religious law

The Wilayah of the Just Faqih

In keeping with the principles of governance [wilayat al-'amr] and the perpetualnecessity of leadership [imamah], the Constitution provides for the establishment ofleadership by a faqih possessing the necessary qualifications [jami' al-shara'it.] andrecognized as leader by the people (this is in accordance with the hadith "Thedirection of [public] affairs is in the hands of those who are learned concerning Godand are trustworthy in matters pertaining to what He permits and forbids" [Tuhafal-'uqul, p. 176]). Such leadership will prevent any deviation by the various organs ofState from their essential Islamic duties.

• Duty to obey the constitution• Status of religious law

The Economy is a Means Not an End

In strengthening the foundations of the economy, the fundamental consideration willbe fulfillment of the material needs of man in the course of his overall growth anddevelopment. This principle contrasts with other economic systems, where the aim isconcentration and accumulation of wealth and maximization of profit. In materialistschools of thought, the economy represents an end in itself, so that it comes to be asubversive and corrupting factor in the course of man's development. In Islam, theeconomy is a means, and all that is required of a means is that it should be an efficientfactor contributing to the attainment of the ultimate goal.

From this viewpoint, the economic programme of Islam consists of providing themeans needed for the emergence of the various creative capacities of the humanbeing. Accordingly, it is the duty of the Islamic government to furnish all citizens withequal and appropriate opportunities, to provide them with work, and to satisfy theiressential needs, so that the course of their progress may be assured.

• Right to work



Woman in the Constitution

Through the creation of Islamic social infrastructures, all the elements of humanitythat hitherto served the multifaceted foreign exploitation shall regain their trueidentity and human rights. As a part of this process, it is only natural that womenshould benefit from a particularly large augmentation of their rights, because of thegreater oppression that they suffered under the taghuti regime.

The family is the fundamental unit of society and the main centre for the growth andedification of human being. Compatibility with respect to belief and ideal, whichprovides the primary basis for man's development and growth, is the mainconsideration in the establishment of a family. It is the duty of the Islamicgovernment to provide the necessary facilities for the attainment of this goal. Thisview of the family unit delivers woman from being regarded as an object or as aninstrument in the service of promoting consumerism and exploitation. Not only doeswoman recover thereby her momentous and precious function of motherhood,rearing of ideologically committed human beings, she also assumes a pioneeringsocial role and becomes the fellow struggler of man in all vital areas of life. Given theweighty responsibilities that woman thus assumes, she is accorded in Islam greatvalue and nobility.

An Ideological Army

In the formation and equipping of the country's defence forces, due attention mustbe paid to faith and ideology as the basic criteria. Accordingly, the Army of theIslamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps are to beorganized in conformity with this goal, and they will be responsible not only forguarding and preserving the frontiers of the country, but also for fulfilling theideological mission of jihad in God's way; that is, extending the sovereignty of God'slaw throughout the world (this is in accordance with the Qur'anic verse "Prepareagainst them whatever force you are able to muster, and strings of horses, strikingfear into the enemy of God and your enemy, and others besides them" [8:60]).

The Judiciary in the Constitution

The judiciary is of vital importance in the context of safeguarding the rights of thepeople in accordance with the line followed by the Islamic movement, and theprevention of deviations within the Islamic nation. Provision has therefore beenmade for the creation of a judicial system based on Islamic justice and operated byjust judges with meticulous knowledge of the Islamic laws. This system, because ofits essentially sensitive nature and the need for full ideological conformity, must befree from every kind of unhealthy relation and connection (this is in accordance withthe Qur'anic verse "When you judge among the people, judge with justice" [4:58]).

• Duty to obey the constitution• Status of religious law

Executive Power

Considering the particular importance of the executive power in implementing thelaws and ordinances of Islam for the sake of establishing the rule of just relationsover society, and considering, too, its vital role in paving the way for the attainmentof the ultimate goal of life, the executive power must work toward the creation of anIslamic society. Consequently, the confinement of the executive power within anykind of complex and inhibiting system that delays or impedes the attainment of thisgoal is rejected by Islam. Therefore, the system of bureaucracy, the result andproduct of taghuti forms of government, will be firmly cast away, so that anexecutive system that functions efficiently and swiftly in the fulfilment of itsadministrative commitments comes into existence.



MassCommunication Media

The mass-communication media, radio and television, must serve the diffusion ofIslamic culture in pursuit of the evolutionary course of the Islamic Revolution. To thisend, the media should be used as a forum for healthy encounter of different ideas,but they must strictly refrain from diffusion and propagation of destructive andanti-Islamic practices. It is incumbent on all to adhere to the principles of thisConstitution, for it regards as its highest aim the freedom and dignity of the humanrace and provides for the growth and development of the human being. It is alsonecessary that the Muslim people should participate actively in the construction ofIslamic society by selecting competent and believing [mu'min] officials and keepingclose and constant watch on their performance. They may then hope for success inbuilding an ideal Islamic society that can be a model for all people of the world and awitness to its perfection (in accordance with the Qur'anic verse "Thus We made youa median community, that you might be witnesses to men" [2:143]).

• Human dignity

Representatives

The Assembly of Experts, composed of representatives of the people, completed itstask of framing the Constitution, on the basis of the draft proposed by thegovernment as well as all the proposals received from different groups of the people,in one hundred and seventy-five articles arranged in twelve chapters, on the eve ofthe fifteenth century after the migration of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings beupon him and his Family), the founder of the redeeming school of Islam, and inaccordance with the aims and aspirations set out above, with the hope that thiscentury will witness the establishment of a universal government of the mustad'afunand the downfall of all the mustakbirun.

CHAPTER I: General Principles

Article 1• Type of government envisioned

The form of government of Iran is that of an Islamic Republic, endorsed by the peopleof Iran on the basis of their longstanding belief in the sovereignty of truth andQur'anic justice, in the referendum of Farwardîn 9 and 10 in the year 1358 of thesolar Islamic calendar, corresponding to Jamadial-'Awwal 1 and 2 in the year 1399 ofthe lunar Islamic calendar [March 29 and 30, 1979], through the affirmative vote of amajority of 98.2% of eligible voters, held after the victorious Islamic Revolution ledby the eminent marji' altaqlid, Ayatullah al-'Uzma Imam Khumayni.

Article 2

The Islamic Republic is a system based on belief in:

1. the One God (as stated in the phrase "There is no god except Allah"), Hisexclusive sovereignty and the right to legislate, and the necessity ofsubmission to His commands;

• God or other deities

2. Divine revelation and its fundamental role in setting forth the laws;• God or other deities

3. the return to God in the Hereafter, and the constructive role of this belief inthe course of man's ascent towards God;

• God or other deities



4. the justice of God in creation and legislation;• God or other deities

5. continuous leadership (imamah) and perpetual guidance, and itsfundamental role in ensuring the uninterrupted process of the revolution ofIslam;

6. the exalted dignity and value of man, and his freedom coupled withresponsibility before God;

• Human dignity• Reference to fraternity/solidarity

in which equity, justice, political, economic, social, and cultural independence, andnational solidarity are secured by recourse to:

a. continuous ijtihad of the fuqaha' possessing necessary qualifications,exercised on the basis of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Ma'sumun, uponall of whom be peace;

b. sciences and arts and the most advanced results of human experience,together with the effort to advance them further;

• Reference to art• Reference to science

c. negation of all forms of oppression, both the infliction of and thesubmission to it, and of dominance, both its imposition and its acceptance.

Article 3

In order to attain the objectives specified in Article 2, the government of the IslamicRepublic of Iran has the duty of directing all its resources to the following goals:

1. the creation of a favourable environment for the growth of moral virtuesbased on faith and piety and the struggle against all forms of vice andcorruption;

2. raising the level of public awareness in all areas, through the proper use ofthe press, mass media, and other means;

• State operation of the media

3. free education and physical training for everyone at all levels, and thefacilitation and expansion of higher education;

• Free education

4. strengthening the spirit of inquiry, investigation, and innovation in all areasof science, technology, and culture, as well as Islamic studies, byestablishing research centres and encouraging researchers;

• Right to culture• Reference to science

5. the complete elimination of imperialism and the prevention of foreigninfluence;

6. the elimination of all forms of despotism and autocracy and all attempts tomonopolize power;

7. ensuring political and social freedoms within the framework of the law;



8. the participation of the entire people in determining their political,economic, social, and cultural destiny;

9. the abolition of all forms of undesirable discrimination and the provision ofequitable opportunities for all, in both the material and intellectual spheres;

10. the creation of a correct administrative system and elimination ofsuperfluous government organizations;

11. all round strengthening of the foundations of national defence to theutmost degree by means of universal military training for the sake ofsafeguarding the independence, territorial integrity, and the Islamic orderof the country;

12. the planning of a correct and just economic system, in accordance withIslamic criteria, in order to create welfare, eliminate poverty, and abolish allforms of deprivation with respect to food, housing, work, health care, andthe provision of social insurance for all;

• Right to health care• Right to shelter

13. the attainment of self-sufficiency in scientific, technological, industrial,agricultural, and military domains, and other similar spheres;

14. securing the multifarious rights of all citizens, both women and men, andproviding legal protection for all, as well as the equality of all before thelaw;

15. the expansion and strengthening of Islamic brotherhood and publiccooperation among all the people;

16. framing the foreign policy of the country on the basis of Islamic criteria,fraternal commitment to all Muslims, and unsparing support to themustad'afun of the world.

Article 4• Status of religious law

All civil, penal, financial, economic, administrative, cultural, military, political, andother laws and regulations must be based on Islamic criteria. This principle appliesabsolutely and generally to all articles of the Constitution as well as to all other lawsand regulations, and the fuqaha' of the Guardian Council are judges in this matter.

Article 5• Political theorists/figures

During the Occultation of the Walial-'Asr (may God hasten his reappearance), thewilayah and leadership of the Ummah devolve upon the just ['adil] and pious[muttaqi] faqih, who is fully aware of the circumstances of his age; courageous,resourceful, and possessed of administrative ability, will assume the responsibilitiesof this office in accordance with Article 107.



Article 6

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the affairs of the country must be administered on thebasis of public opinion expressed by the means of elections, including the election ofthe President, the representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and themembers of councils, or by means of referenda in matters specified in other articlesof this Constitution.

Article 7• Municipal government• Subsidiary unit government

In accordance with the command of the Qur'an contained in the verse ('Their affairsare by consultations among them" [42:38]) and ("Consult them in affairs" [3:159]),consultative bodies--such as the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the ProvincialCouncils, and the City, Region, District, and Village Councils and the likes of the--arethe decision-making and administrative organs of the country.

The nature of each of these councils, together with the manner of their formation,their jurisdiction, and scope of their duties and functions, is determined by theConstitution and laws derived from it.

Article 8

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, al-'amr bilma'ruf wa al-nahy 'an al-munkar is auniversal and reciprocal duty that must be fulfilled by the people with respect to oneanother, by the government with respect to the people, and by the people withrespect to the government. The conditions, limits, and nature of this duty will bespecified by law. (This is in accordance with the Qur'anic verse: "The believers, menand women, are guardians of one another, they enjoin the good and forbid the evil"[9:71]).

Article 9

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the freedom, independence, unity, and territorialintegrity of the country are inseparable from one another, and their preservation isthe duty of the government and all individual citizens. No individual, group, orauthority, has the right to infringe in the slightest way upon the political, cultural,economic, and military independence or the territorial integrity of Iran under thepretext of exercising freedom. Similarly, no authority has the right to abrogatelegitimate freedoms, not even by enacting laws and regulations for that purpose,under the pretext of preserving the independence and territorial integrity of thecountry.

Article 10• Right to found a family

Since the family is the fundamental unit of Islamic society, all laws, regulations, andpertinent programmes must tend to facilitate the formation of a family, and tosafeguard its sanctity and the stability of family relations on the basis of the law andthe ethics of Islam.



Article 11

In accordance with the sacred verse of the Qur'an ("This your community is a singlecommunity, and I am your Lord, so worship Me" [21:92]), all Muslims form a singlenation, and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has the duty offormulating its general policies with a view to cultivating the friendship and unity ofall Muslim peoples, and it must constantly strive to bring about the political,economic, and cultural unity of the Islamic world.

Article 12• Freedom of religion• Official religion

The official religion of Iran is Islam and the Twelver Ja'farî school [in usul al-Dîn andfiqh], and this principle will remain eternally immutable. Other Islamic schools,including the Hanafî, Shafi'î, Malikî, Hanbalî, and Zaydî, are to be accorded fullrespect, and their followers are free to act in accordance with their ownjurisprudence in performing their religious rites. These schools enjoy official status inmatters pertaining to religious education, affairs of personal status (marriage,divorce, inheritance, and wills) and related litigation in courts of law. In regions of thecountry where Muslims following any one of these schools of fiqh constitute themajority, local regulations, within the bounds of the jurisdiction of local councils, areto be in accordance with the respective school of fiqh, without infringing upon therights of the followers of other schools.

Article 13• Freedom of religion

Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian Iranians are the only recognized religiousminorities, who, within the limits of the law, are free to perform their religious ritesand ceremonies, and to act according to their own canon in matters of personalaffairs and religious education.

Article 14

In accordance with the sacred verse ("God does not forbid you to deal kindly andjustly with those who have not fought against you because of your religion and whohave not expelled you from your homes" [60:8]), the government of the IslamicRepublic of Iran and all Muslims are duty-bound to treat non-Muslims in conformitywith ethical norms and the principles of Islamic justice and equity, and to respecttheir human rights. This principle applies to all who refrain from engaging inconspiracy or activity against Islam and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

CHAPTER II: The Official Language, Script,Calendar, and Flag of the Country

Article 15• Official or national languages• Protection of language use

The official language and script of Iran, the lingua franca of its people, is Persian.Official documents, correspondence, and texts, as well as text-books, must be in thislanguage and script. However, the use of regional and tribal languages in the pressand mass media, as well as for teaching of their literature in schools, is allowed inaddition to Persian.



Article 16• Official or national languages

Since the language of the Qur'an and Islamic texts and teachings is Arabic, and sincePersian literature is thoroughly permeated by this language, it must be taught afterelementary level, in all classes of secondary school and in all areas of study.

Article 17• Political theorists/figures

The official calendar of the country takes as its point of departure the migration ofthe Prophet of Islam God's peace and blessings upon him and his Family. Both thesolar and lunar Islamic calendars are recognized, but government offices willfunction according to the solar calendar. The official weekly holiday is Friday.

Article 18• National flag

The official flag of Iran is composed of green, white and red colours with the specialemblem of the Islamic Republic, together with the motto (Allahu Akbar).

CHAPTER III: The Rights of the People

Article 19• General guarantee of equality• Equality regardless of gender• Equality regardless of skin color• Equality regardless of race• Equality regardless of language All people of Iran, whatever the ethnic group or tribe to which they belong, enjoy

equal rights; and colour, race, language, and the like, do not bestow any privilege.

Article 20• Equality regardless of gender• Equality regardless of skin color• Equality regardless of race• Equality regardless of language

All citizens of the country, both men and women, equally enjoy the protection of thelaw and enjoy all human, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, in conformitywith Islamic criteria.

Article 21

The government must ensure the rights of women in all respects, in conformity withIslamic criteria, and accomplish the following goals:

1. create a favourable environment for the growth of woman's personalityand the restoration of her rights, both the material and intellectual;

2. the protection of mothers, particularly during pregnancy and childrearing,and the protection of children without guardians;

3. establishing competent courts to protect and preserve the family;

4. the provision of special insurance for widows, and aged women and womenwithout support;

5. the awarding of guardianship of children to worthy mothers, in order toprotect the interests of the children, in the absence of a legal guardian.

• Rights of children



Article 22• Prohibition of capital punishment• Human dignity• Inalienable rights• Right to life• Right to own property The dignity, life, property, rights, residence, and occupation of the individual are

inviolate, except in cases sanctioned by law.

Article 23• Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience

The investigation of individuals' beliefs is forbidden, and no one may be molested ortaken to task simply for holding a certain belief.

Article 24• Freedom of press

Publications and the press have freedom of expression except when it is detrimentalto the fundamental principles of Islam or the rights of the public. The details of thisexception will be specified by law.

Article 25• Freedom of press• Right to privacy

The inspection of letters and the failure to deliver them, the recording and disclosureof telephone conversations, the disclosure of telegraphic and telex communications,censorship, or the wilful failure to transmit them, eaves-dropping, and all forms ofcovert investigation are forbidden, except as provided by law.

Article 26• Freedom of association• Right to join trade unions• Restrictions on political parties• Right to form political parties

The formation of parties, societies, political or professional associations, as well asreligious societies, whether Islamic or pertaining to one of the recognized religiousminorities, is permitted provided they do not violate the principles of independence,freedom, national unity, the criteria of Islam, or the basis of the Islamic Republic. Noone may be prevented from participating in the aforementioned groups, or becompelled to participate in them.

Article 27• Freedom of assembly

Public gatherings and marches may be freely held, provided arms are not carried andthat they are not detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam.

Article 28• Right to choose occupation• Right to work

Everyone has the right to choose any occupation he wishes, if it is not contrary toIslam and the public interests, and does not infringe the rights of others. Thegovernment has the duty, with due consideration of the need of society for differentkinds of work, to provide every citizen with the opportunity to work, and to createequal conditions for obtaining it.

Article 29• State support for the elderly• State support for the unemployed• State support for the disabled• State support for children• Right to health care To benefit from social security with respect to retirement, unemployment, old age,

disability, absence of a guardian, and benefits relating to being stranded, accidents,health services, and medical care and treatment, provided through insurance orother means, is accepted as a universal right.

The government must provide the foregoing services and financial support for everyindividual citizen by drawing, in accordance with the law, on the national revenuesand funds obtained through public contributions.



Article 30• Free education

The government must provide all citizens with free education up to secondaryschool, and must expand free higher education to the extent required by the countryfor attaining self-sufficiency.

Article 31• Right to shelter

It is the right of every Iranian individual and family to possess housingcommensurate with his needs. The government must make land available for theimplementation of this article, according priority to those whose need is greatest, inparticular the rural population and the workers.

Article 32• Protection from unjustified restraint

No one may be arrested except by the order and in accordance with the procedurelaid down by law. In case of arrest, charges with the reasons for accusation must,without delay, be communicated and explained to the accused in writing, and aprovisional dossier must be forwarded to the competent judicial authorities within amaximum of twenty-four hours so that the preliminaries to the trial can becompleted as swiftly as possible. The violation of this article will be liable topunishment in accordance with the law.

Article 33

No one can be banished from his place of residence, prevented from residing in theplace of his choice, or compelled to reside in a given locality, except in cases providedby law.

Article 34

It is the indisputable right of every citizen to seek justice by recourse to competentcourts. All citizens have right of access to such courts, and no one can be barred fromcourts to which he has a legal right of recourse.

Article 35• Right to counsel

Both parties to a lawsuit have the right in all courts of law to select an attorney, andif they are unable to do so, arrangements must be made to provide them with legalcounsel.

Article 36• Principle of no punishment without law

The passing and execution of a sentence must be only by a competent court and inaccordance with law.

Article 37• Presumption of innocence in trials

Innocence is to be presumed, and no one is to be held guilty of a charge unless his orher guilt has been established by a competent court.



Article 38• Prohibition of cruel treatment• Prohibition of torture

All forms of torture for the purpose of extracting confession or acquiring informationare forbidden. Compulsion of individuals to testify, confess, or take an oath is notpermissible; and any testimony, confession, or oath obtained under duress is devoidof value and credence. Violation of this article is liable to punishment in accordancewith the law.

Article 39• Prohibition of cruel treatment

All affronts to the dignity and repute of persons arrested, detained, imprisoned, orbanished in accordance with the law, whatever form they may take, are forbiddenand liable to punishment.

Article 40

No one is entitled to exercise his rights in a way injurious to others or detrimental topublic interests.

Article 41• Requirements for birthright citizenship• Right to renounce citizenship• Conditions for revoking citizenship

Iranian citizenship is the indisputable right of every Iranian, and the governmentcannot withdraw citizenship from any Iranian unless he himself requests it oracquires the citizenship of another country.

Article 42• Right to renounce citizenship• Conditions for revoking citizenship• Requirements for naturalization

Foreign nationals may acquire Iranian citizenship within the framework of the laws.Citizenship may be withdrawn from such persons if another State accepts them as itscitizens or if they request it.

CHAPTER IV: Economy and Financial Affairs

Article 43

The economy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its objectives of achieving theeconomic independence of the society, uprooting poverty and deprivation, andfulfilling human needs in the process of development while preserving human liberty,is based on the following criteria:

1. the provision of basic necessities for all citizens: housing, food, clothing,hygiene, medical treatment, education, and the necessary facilities for theestablishment of a family;

• Right to shelter



2. ensuring conditions and opportunities of employment for everyone, with aview to attaining full employment; placing the means of work at thedisposal of everyone who is able to work but lacks the means, in the form ofcooperatives, through granting interest free loans or recourse to any otherlegitimate means that neither results in the concentration or circulation ofwealth in the hands of a few individuals or groups, nor turns thegovernment into a major absolute employer. These steps must be takenwith due regard for the requirements governing the general economicplanning of the country at each stage of its growth;

• Right to work

3. the plan for the national economy, must be structured in such a mannerthat the form, content, and hours of work of every individual will allow himsufficient leisure and energy to engage, beyond his professional endeavour,in intellectual, political, and social activities leading to all-rounddevelopment of his self, to take active part in leading the affairs of thecountry, improve his skills, and to make full use of his creativity;

• Right to development of personality• Economic plans• Right to rest and leisure

4. respect for the right to choose freely one's occupation; refraining fromcompelling anyone to engage in a particular job; and preventing theexploitation of another's labour;

• Right to choose occupation

5. the prohibition of infliction of harm and loss upon others, monopoly,hoarding, usury, and other illegitimate and evil practices;

6. the prohibition of extravagance and wastefulness in all matters related tothe economy, including consumption, investment, production, distribution,and services;

7. the utilization of science and technology, and the training of skilledpersonnel in accordance with the developmental needs of the country'seconomy;

• Reference to science

8. prevention of foreign economic domination over the country's economy;

9. emphasis on increase of agricultural, livestock, and industrial production inorder to satisfy public needs and to make the country self-sufficient andfree from dependence.

Article 44

The economy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to consist of three sectors: state,cooperative, and private, and is to be based on systematic and sound planning.

The state sector is to include all large-scale and mother industries, foreign trade,major minerals, banking, insurance, power generation, dams and large-scaleirrigation networks, radio and television, post, telegraph and telephone services,aviation, shipping, roads, railroads and the like; all these will be publicly owned andadministered by the State.

• State operation of the media• Radio• Television

The cooperative sector is to include cooperative companies and enterprisesconcerned with production and distribution, in urban and rural areas, in accordancewith Islamic criteria.



The private sector consists of those activities concerned with agriculture, animalhusbandry, industry, trade, and services that supplement the economic activities ofthe state and cooperative sectors.

Ownership in each of these three sectors is protected by the laws of the IslamicRepublic, in so far as this ownership is in conformity with the other articles of thischapter, does not go beyond the bounds of Islamic law, contributes to the economicgrowth and progress of the country, and does not harm society.

The [precise] scope of each of these sectors, as well as the regulations and conditionsgoverning their operation, will be specified by law.

Article 45• Protection from expropriation• Ownership of natural resources

Public wealth and property, such as uncultivated or abandoned land, mineraldeposits, seas, lakes, rivers and other public water-ways, mountains, valleys, forests,marshland, natural forests, unenclosed pastureland, legacies without heirs, propertyof undetermined ownership, and public property recovered from usurpers, shall beat the disposal of the Islamic government for it to utilize in accordance with thepublic interest. Law will specify detailed procedures for the utilization of each of theforegoing items.

Article 46• Right to establish a business

Everyone is the owner of the fruits of his legitimate business and labour, and no onemay deprive another of the opportunity of business and work under the pretext ofhis right to ownership.

Article 47• Protection from expropriation

Private ownership, legitimately acquired, is to be respected. The relevant criteria aredetermined by law.

Article 48

There must be no discrimination among the various provinces with regard to theexploitation of natural resources, utilization of public revenues, and distribution ofeconomic activities among the various provinces and regions of the country, therebyensuring that every region has access to the necessary capital and facilities inaccordance with its needs and capacity for growth.

Article 49• Protection from expropriation

The government has the responsibility of confiscating all wealth accumulatedthrough usury, usurpation, bribery, embezzlement, theft, gambling, misuse ofendowments, misuse of government contracts and transactions, the sale ofuncultivated lands and other resources subject to public ownership, the operation ofcentres of corruption, and other illicit means and sources, and restoring it to itslegitimate owner; and if no such owner can be identified, it must be entrusted to thepublic treasury. This rule must be executed by the government with due care, afterinvestigation and furnishing necessary evidence in accordance with the law of Islam.



Article 50• Protection of environment

The preservation of the environment, in which the present as well as the futuregenerations have a right to flourishing social existence, is regarded as a public duty inthe Islamic Republic. Economic and other activities that inevitably involve pollutionof the environment or cause irreparable damage to it are therefore forbidden.

Article 51

No form of taxation may be imposed except in accordance with the law. Provisionsfor tax exemption and reduction will be determined by law.

Article 52• Budget bills

The annual budget of the country will be drawn up by the government, in the mannerspecified by law, and submitted to the Islamic Consultative Assembly for discussionand approval. Any change in the figures contained in the budget will be in accordancewith the procedures prescribed by law.

Article 53

All sums collected by the government will be deposited into the governmentaccounts at the central treasury, and all disbursements, within the limits ofallocations approved, shall be made in accordance with law.

Article 54• National capital

The National Accounting Agency is to be directly under the supervision of the IslamicConsultative Assembly. Its organization and mode of operation in Tehran and at theprovincial capitals, are to be determined by law.

Article 55

The National Accounting Agency will inspect and audit, in the manner prescribed bylaw, all the accounts of ministries, government institutions and companies as well asother organizations that draw, in any way, on the general budget of the country, toensure that no expenditure exceeds the allocations approved and that all sums arespent for the specified purpose. It will collect all relevant accounts, documents, andrecords, in accordance with law, and submit to the Islamic Consultative Assembly areport for the settlement of each year's budget together with its own comments.This report must be made available to the public.



CHAPTER V: The Right of NationalSovereignty and the Powers DerivingTherefrom

Article 56

Absolute sovereignty over the world and man belongs to God, and it is He Who hasmade man master of his own social destiny. No one can deprive man of this divineright, nor subordinate it to the vested interests of a particular individual or group.The people are to exercise this divine right in the manner specified in the followingarticles.

Article 57• Claim of executive independence

The powers of government in the Islamic Republic are vested in the legislature, thejudiciary, and the executive powers, functioning under the supervision of theabsolute wilayat al-'amr and the Leadership of the Ummah, in accordance with theforthcoming articles of this Constitution. These powers are independent of eachother.

Article 58• Structure of legislative chamber(s)

The functions of the legislature are to be exercised through the Islamic ConsultativeAssembly, consisting of the elected representatives of the people. Legislationapproved by this body, after going through the stages specified in the articles below,is communicated to the executive and the judiciary for implementation.

Article 59• Referenda

In extremely important economic, political, social, and cultural matters, the functionsof the legislature may be exercised through direct recourse to popular vote througha referendum. Any request for such direct recourse to public opinion must beapproved by two-thirds of the members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Article 60

The functions of the executive, except in the matters that are directly placed underthe jurisdiction of the Leadership by the Constitution, are to be exercised by thePresident and the ministers.

Article 61

The functions of the judiciary are to be performed by courts of justice, which are tobe formed in accordance with the criteria of Islam, and are vested with the authorityto examine and settle lawsuits, protect the rights of the public, dispense and enactjustice, and implement the Divine limits [al-hudud al-'Ilahiyyah].



CHAPTER VI: The Legislative Power

SECTION 1: The Islamic Consultative Assembly


The Islamic Consultative Assembly is constituted by the representatives of thepeople elected directly and by secret ballot.

• Secret ballot• First chamber selection• Restrictions on voting

The qualifications of voters and candidates, as well as the nature of election, will bespecified by law.

• Minimum age for first chamber• Eligibility for first chamber

Article 63

The term of membership in the Islamic Consultative Assembly is four years. Electionsfor each term must take place before the end of the preceding term, so that thecountry is never without an Assembly.

• First chamber selection• Term length for first chamber


There are to be two hundred seventy members of the Islamic Consultative Assemblywhich, keeping in view the human, political, geographic and other similar factors,may increase by not more than twenty for each ten-year period from the date of thenational referendum of the year 1368 of the solar Islamic calendar.

• Size of first chamber

The Zoroastrians and Jews will each elect one representative; Assyrian andChaldean Christians will jointly elect one representative; and Armenian Christians inthe north and those in the south of the country will each elect one representative.

• First chamber representation quotas

The limits of the election constituencies and the number of representatives will bedetermined by law.

Article 65• Quorum for legislative sessions

After the holding of elections, sessions of the Islamic Consultative Assembly areconsidered legally valid when two-thirds of the total number of members arepresent. Drafts and bills will be approved in accordance with the code of procedureapproved by it, except in cases where the Constitution has specified a certainquorum.

The consent of two-thirds of all members present is necessary for the approval of thecode of procedure of the Assembly.

Article 66• Legislative committees• Leader of first chamber

The manner of election of the Speaker and the Presiding Board of the Assembly, thenumber of committees and their term of office, and matters related to conductingthe discussions and maintaining the discipline of the Assembly will be determined bythe code of procedure of the Assembly.

Article 67• Oaths to abide by constitution

Members of the Assembly must take the following oath at the first session of theAssembly and affix their signatures to its text:



In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

In the presence of the Glorious Qur'an, I swear by God, the Exalted and Almighty,and undertake, swearing by my own honour as a human being, to protect the sanctityof Islam and guard the accomplishments of the Islamic Revolution of the Iranianpeople and the foundations of the Islamic Republic; to protect, as a just trustee, thehonour bestowed upon me by the people, to observe piety in fulfilling my duties aspeople's representative; to remain always committed to the independence andhonour of the country; to fulfil my duties towards the nation and the service of thepeople; to defend the Constitution; and to bear in mind, both in speech and writingand in the expression of my views, the independence of the country, the freedom ofthe people, and the security of their interests.

Members belonging to the religious minorities will swear by their own sacred bookswhile taking this oath.

Members not attending the first session will perform the ceremony of taking theoath at the first session they attend.

Article 68• Constitutional court powers• Extraordinary legislative sessions

In time of war and the military occupation of the country, elections due to be held inoccupied areas or countrywide may be delayed for a specified period if proposed bythe President of the Republic, and approved by three-fourths of the total membersof the Islamic Consultative Assembly, with the endorsement of the GuardianCouncil. If a new Assembly is not formed, the previous one will continue to function.

Article 69• Constitutional court powers• Emergency provisions• Public or private sessions• Publication of deliberations• Radio• Secrecy of legislative votes

The deliberations of the Islamic Consultative Assembly must be open, and fullminutes of them made available to the public by the radio and the official gazette. Aclosed session may be held in emergency conditions, if it is required for nationalsecurity, upon the requisition of the President, one of the ministers, or ten membersof the Assembly. Legislation passed at a closed session is valid only when approvedby three-fourths of the members in the presence of the Guardian Council. Afteremergency conditions have ceased to exist, the minutes of such closed sessions,together with any legislation approved in them, must be made available to the public.

Article 70

The President, his deputies and the ministers have the right to participate in theopen sessions of the Assembly either collectively or individually. They may also havetheir advisers accompany them. If the members of the Assembly deem it necessary,the ministers are obliged to attend. [Conversely], whenever they request it, theirstatements are to be heard.

SECTION 2: Powers and Authority of the IslamicConsultative Assembly

Article 71• Initiation of general legislation

The Islamic Consultative Assembly can establish laws on all matters, within the limitsof its competence as laid down in the Constitution.



Article 72• First chamber reserved policy areas• Status of religious law

The Islamic Consultative Assembly cannot enact laws contrary to the usul andahkam of the official religion of the country or to the Constitution. It is the duty ofthe Guardian Council to determine whether a violation has occurred, in accordancewith Article 96.

Article 73

The interpretation of ordinary laws falls within the competence of the IslamicConsultative Assembly. The intent of this Article does not prevent theinterpretations that judges may make in the course of cassation.

Article 74• Initiation of general legislation

Government bills are presented to the Islamic Consultative Assembly after receivingthe approval of the Council of Ministers. Members' bills may be introduced in theIslamic Consultative Assembly if sponsored by at least fifteen members.

Article 75

Members' bills and proposals and amendments to government bills proposed bymembers that entail the reduction of the public income or the increase of publicexpenditure may be introduced in the Assembly only if means for compensating forthe decrease in income or for meeting the new expenditure are also specified.

Article 76

The Islamic Consultative Assembly has the right to investigate and examine all theaffairs of the country.

Article 77• International law• Treaty ratification• Legal status of treaties

International treaties, protocols, contracts, and agreements must be approved bythe Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Article 78

All changes in the boundaries of the country are forbidden, with the exception ofminor amendments in keeping with the interests of the country, on condition thatthey are not unilateral, do not encroach on the independence and territorial integrityof the country, and receive the approval of four-fifths of the total members of theIslamic Consultative Assembly.

Article 79• Emergency provisions

The proclamation of martial law is forbidden. In case of war or emergency conditionsakin to war, the government has the right to impose temporarily certain necessaryrestrictions, with the agreement of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. In no case cansuch restrictions last for more than thirty days; if the need for them persists beyondthis limit, the government must obtain new authorization for them from theAssembly.



Article 80

The taking and giving of loans or grants-in-aid, domestic and foreign, by thegovernment, must be approved by the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Article 81

The granting of concessions to foreigners for the formation of companies orinstitutions dealing with commerce, industry, agriculture, services or mineralextraction, is absolutely forbidden.

Article 82

The employment of foreign experts is forbidden, except in cases of necessity andwith the approval of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Article 83

Government buildings and properties forming part of the national heritage cannotbe transferred except with the approval of the Islamic Consultative Assembly; that,too, is not applicable in the case of irreplaceable treasures.

Article 84

Every representative is responsible to the entire nation and has the right to expresshis views on all internal and external affairs of the country.

Article 85• Duty to obey the constitution• Legislative committees

The right of membership is vested with the individual, and is not transferable toothers. The Assembly cannot delegate the power of legislation to an individual orcommittee. But whenever necessary, it can delegate the power of legislating certainlaws to its own committees, in accordance with Article 72. In such a case, the lawswill be implemented on a tentative basis for a period specified by the Assembly, andtheir final approval will rest with the Assembly.

Likewise, the Assembly may, in accordance with Article 72, delegate to the relevantcommittees the responsibility for permanent approval of articles of association oforganizations, companies, government institutions, or organizations affiliated to thegovernment and or invest the authority in the government. In such a case, thegovernment approvals must not be inconsistent with the principles andcommandments of the official religion in the country and or the Constitution whichquestion shall be determined by the Guardian Council in accordance with what isstated in Article 96. In addition to this, the government approvals shall not be againstthe laws and other general rules of the country and, while calling for implementation,the same shall be brought to the knowledge of the Speaker of the IslamicConsultative Assembly for his study and indication that the approvals in question arenot inconsistent with the aforesaid rules.

Article 86• Immunity of legislators

Members of the Assembly are completely free in expressing their views and castingtheir votes in the course of performing their duties as representatives, and theycannot be prosecuted or arrested for opinions expressed in the Assembly or votescast in the course of performing their duties as representatives.



Article 87

The President must obtain, for the Council of Ministers, after being formed andbefore all other business, a vote of confidence from the Assembly. During hisincumbency, he can also seek a vote of confidence for the Council of Ministers fromthe Assembly on important and controversial issues.

Article 88• Legislative oversight of the executive

Whenever at least one-fourth of the total members of the Islamic ConsultativeAssembly pose a question to the President, or any one member of the Assemblyposes a question to a minister on a subject relating to their duties, the President orthe minister is obliged to attend the Assembly and answer the question. This answermust not be delayed more than one month in the case of the President and ten daysin the case of the minister, except with an excuse deemed reasonable by the IslamicConsultative Assembly.

Article 89

1. Members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly can interpellate the Council ofMinisters or an individual minister in instances they deem necessary.Interpellations can be tabled if they bear the signatures of at least ten members.

The Council of Ministers or interpellated minister must be present in theAssembly within ten days after the tabling of the interpellation in order toanswer it and seek a vote of confidence. If the Council of Ministers or theminister concerned fails to attend the Assembly, the members who tabled theinterpellation will explain their reasons, and the Assembly will declare a vote ofno-confidence if it deems it necessary.

If the Assembly does not pronounce a vote of confidence, the Council ofMinisters or the minister subject to interpellation is dismissed. In both cases, theministers subject to interpellation cannot become members of the next Councilof Ministers formed immediately afterwards.

2. In the event at least one-third of the members of the Islamic ConsultativeAssembly interpellate the President concerning his executive responsibilities inrelation with the Executive Power and the executive affairs of the country, thePresident must be present in the Assembly within one month after the tabling ofthe interpellation in order to give adequate explanations in regard to thematters raised. In the event, after hearing the statements of the opposing andfavouring members and the reply of the President, two thirds of the members ofthe Assembly declare a vote of no confidence, the same will be communicated tothe Leadership for information and implementation of Section (10) of Article110 of the Constitution.

• Head of government removal• Legislative oversight of the executive

Article 90• Legislative oversight of the executive• Right of petition

Whoever has a complaint concerning the work of the Assembly or the executivepower, or the judicial power can forward his complaint in writing to the Assembly.The Assembly must investigate his complaint and give a satisfactory reply. In caseswhere the complaint relates to the executive or the judiciary, the Assembly mustdemand proper investigation in the matter and an adequate explanation from them,and announce the results within a reasonable time. In cases where the subject of thecomplaint is of public interest, the reply must be made public.



Article 91• Eligibility for const court judges• Constitutional court selection

With a view to safeguard the Islamic ordinances and the Constitution, in order toexamine the compatibility of the legislations passed by the Islamic ConsultativeAssembly with Islam, a council to be known as the Guardian Council is to beconstituted with the following composition:

1. six 'adil fuqaha', conscious of the present needs and the issues of the day, tobe selected by the Leader, and

2. six jurists, specializing in different areas of law, to be elected by the IslamicConsultative Assembly from among the Muslim jurists nominated by theHead of the Judicial Power.

Article 92• Constitutional court term length

Members of the Guardian Council are elected to serve for a period of six years, butduring the first term, after three years have passed, half of the members of eachgroup will be changed by lot and new members will be elected in their place.

Article 93

The Islamic Consultative Assembly does not hold any legal status if there is noGuardian Council in existence, except for the purpose of approving the credentials ofits members and the election of the six jurists on the Guardian Council.

Article 94• Establishment of constitutional court• Approval of general legislation• Status of religious law• Constitutionality of legislation

All legislation passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly must be sent to theGuardian Council. The Guardian Council must review it within a maximum of tendays from its receipt with a view to ensuring its compatibility with the criteria ofIslam and the Constitution. If it finds the legislation incompatible, it will return it tothe Assembly for review. Otherwise the legislation will be deemed enforceable.

Article 95• Approval of general legislation

In cases where the Guardian Council deems ten days inadequate for completing theprocess of review and delivering a definite opinion, it can request the IslamicConsultative Assembly to grant an extension of the time limit not exceeding tendays.


The determination of compatibility of the legislation passed by the IslamicConsultative Assembly with the laws of Islam rests with the majority vote of thefuqaha' on the Guardian Council; and the determination of its compatibility with theConstitution rests with the majority of all the members of the Guardian Council.



Article 97

In order to expedite the work, the members of the Guardian Council may attend theAssembly and listen to its debates when a government bill or a members' bill is underdiscussion. When an urgent government or members' bill is placed on the agenda ofthe Assembly, the members of the Guardian Council must attend the Assembly andmake their views known.

Article 98• Constitutional interpretation• Constitutionality of legislation

The authority of the interpretation of the Constitution is vested with the GuardianCouncil, which is to be done with the consent of three-fourths of its members.

Article 99• Constitutional court powers• Head of government selection• Referenda

The Guardian Council has the responsibility of supervising the elections of theAssembly of Experts for Leadership, the President of the Republic, the IslamicConsultative Assembly, and the direct recourse to popular opinion and referenda.

CHAPTER VII: Councils


In order to expedite social, economic, development, public health, cultural, andeducational programmes and facilitate other affairs relating to public welfare withthe cooperation of the people according to local needs, the administration of eachvillage, division, city, municipality, and province will be supervised by a council to benamed the Village, Division, City, Municipality, or Provincial Council. Members ofeach of these councils will be elected by the people of the locality in question.

Qualifications for the eligibility of electors and candidates for these councils, as wellas their functions and powers, the mode of election, the jurisdiction of these councils,the hierarchy of their authority, will be determined by law, in such a way as topreserve national unity, territorial integrity, the system of the Islamic Republic, andthe sovereignty of the central government.

Article 101• Subsidiary unit government

In order to prevent discrimination in the preparation of programmes for thedevelopment and welfare of the provinces, to secure the cooperation of the people,and to arrange for the supervision of coordinated implementation of suchprogrammes, a Supreme Council of the Provinces will be formed, composed ofrepresentatives of the Provincial Councils.

Law will specify the manner in which this council is to be formed and the functionsthat it is to fulfil.

Article 102• Subsidiary unit government

The Supreme Council of the Provinces has the right within its jurisdiction, to draftbills and to submit them to the Islamic Consultative Assembly, either directly orthrough the government. These bills must be examined by the Assembly.




Provincial governors, city governors, divisional governors, and other officialsappointed by the government must abide by all decisions taken by the councilswithin their jurisdiction.

Article 104• Mentions of social class

In order to ensure Islamic equity and cooperation in chalking out the programmesand to bring about the harmonious progress of all units of production, both industrialand agricultural, councils consisting of the representatives of the workers, peasants,other employees, and managers, will be formed in educational and administrativeunits, units of service industries, and other units of a like nature, similar councils willbe formed, composed of representatives of the members of those units.

The mode of the formation of these councils and the scope of their functions andpowers, are to be specified by law.

Article 105• National vs subnational laws

Decisions taken by the councils must not be contrary to the criteria of Islam and thelaws of the country.

Article 106

The councils may not be dissolved unless they deviate from their legal duties. Thebody responsible for determining such deviation, as well as the manner for dissolvingthe councils and re-forming them, will be specified by law.

Should a council have any objection to its dissolution, it has the right to appeal to acompetent court, and the court is duty-bound to examine its complaint outside thedocket sequence.

CHAPTER VIII: The Leader or LeadershipCouncil

Article 107• Name/structure of executive(s)• Head of state selection

After the demise of the eminent marji' al-taqlid and great leader of the universalIslamic revolution, and founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatullah al-'UzmaImam Khumayni--quddisa sirruh al-sharif--who was recognised and accepted asmarji' and Leader by a decisive majority of the people, the task of appointing theLeader shall be vested with the experts elected by the people. The experts willreview and consult among themselves concerning all the fuqaha' possessing thequalifications specified in Articles 5 and 109. In the event they find one of thembetter versed in Islamic regulations, the subjects of the fiqh, or in political and socialissues, or possessing general popularity or special prominence for any of thequalifications mentioned in Article 109, they shall elect him as the Leader.Otherwise, in the absence of such a superiority, they shall elect and declare one ofthem as the Leader. The Leader thus elected by the Assembly of Experts shallassume all the powers of the wilayat al-amr and all the responsibilities arisingtherefrom.



The Leader is equal with the rest of the people of the country in the eyes of law.

Article 108• Head of state selection

The law setting out the number and qualifications of the experts [mentioned in thepreceding article], the mode of their election, and the code of procedure regulatingthe sessions during the first term must be drawn up by the fuqaha' on the firstGuardian Council, passed by a majority of votes and then finally approved by theLeader of the Revolution. The power to make any subsequent change or a review ofthis law, or approval of all the provisions concerning the duties of the experts isvested in themselves.

Article 109• Eligibility for head of state

Following are the essential qualifications and conditions for the Leader:

a. scholarship, as required for performing the functions of muftiin differentfields of fiqh.

b. Justice and piety, as required for the leadership of the Islamic Ummah.

c. right political and social perspicacity, prudence, courage, administrativefacilities and adequate capability for leadership.

In case of multiplicity of persons fulfilling the above qualifications and conditions, theperson possessing the better jurisprudential and political perspicacity will be givenpreference.

Article 110• Head of state powers

Following are the duties and powers of the Leadership:

1. Delineation of the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran afterconsultation with the Nation's Exigency Council.

• Head of government removal

2. Supervision over the proper execution of the general policies of the system.

3. Issuing decrees for national referenda.

4. Assuming supreme command of the armed forces.• Designation of commander in chief

5. Declaration of war and peace, and the mobilization of the armed forces.• Power to declare/approve war

6. Appointment, dismissal, and acceptance of resignation of:

a. the fuqaha' on the Guardian Council.

b. the supreme judicial authority of the country.

c. the head of the radio and television network of the Islamic Republic ofIran.

• Radio• Television



d. the chief of the joint staff.

e. the chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.

f. the supreme commanders of the armed forces.

7. Resolving differences between the three wings of the armed forces andregulation of their relations.

8. Resolving the problems, which cannot be solved by conventional methods,through the Nation's Exigency Council.

9. Signing the decree formalizing the election of the President of the Republicby the people. The suitability of candidates for the Presidency of theRepublic, with respect to the qualifications specified in the Constitution,must be confirmed before elections take place by the Guardian Council,and, in the case of the first term [of the Presidency], by the Leadership;

• Constitutional court powers• Head of government selection

10. Dismissal of the President of the Republic, with due regard for the interestsof the country, after the Supreme Court holds him guilty of the violation ofhis constitutional duties, or after a vote of the Islamic ConsultativeAssembly testifying to his incompetence on the basis of Article 89 of theConstitution.

11. Pardoning or reducing the sentences of convicts, within the framework ofIslamic criteria, on a recommendation [to that effect] from the Head ofjudicial power. The Leader may delegate part of his duties and powers toanother person.

• Power to pardon

Article 111

Whenever the Leader becomes incapable of fulfilling his constitutional duties, orloses one of the qualifications mentioned in Articles 5 and 109, or it becomes knownthat he did not possess some of the qualifications initially, he will be dismissed. Theauthority of determination in this matter is vested with the experts specified inArticle 108.

• Head of state removal

In the event of the death, or resignation or dismissal of the Leader, the experts shalltake steps within the shortest possible time for the appointment of the new Leader.Till the appointment of the new Leader, a council consisting of the President, head ofthe judiciary power, and a faqih from the Guardian Council, upon the decision of theNation's Exigency Council, shall temporarily take over all the duties of the Leader. Inthe event, during this period, any one of them is unable to fulfil his duties forwhatsoever reason, another person, upon the decision of majority of fuqaha' in theNation's Exigency Council shall be elected in his place.

• Head of state replacement

This council shall take action in respect of items 1,3,5, and 10, and sections d, e and fof item 6 of Article 110, upon the decision of three-fourths of the members of theNation's Exigency Council.

• Head of state replacement

Whenever the Leader becomes temporarily unable to perform the duties ofleadership owing to his illness or any other incident, then during this period, thecouncil mentioned in this Article shall assume his duties.



Article 112• Advisory bodies to the head of state• Status of religious law

Upon the order of the Leader, the Nation's Exigency Council shall meet at any timethe Guardian Council judges a proposed bill of the Islamic Consultative Assembly tobe against the principles of Shari'ah or the Constitution, and the Assembly is unableto meet the expectations of the Guardian Council. Also, the Council shall meet forconsideration on any issue forwarded to it by the Leader and shall carry out anyother responsibility as mentioned in this Constitution.

The permanent and changeable members of the Council shall be appointed by theLeader. The rules for the Council shall be formulated and approved by the Councilmembers subject to the confirmation by the Leader.

CHAPTER IX: The Executive Power

SECTION 1: The Presidency

Article 113• Name/structure of executive(s)

After the office of Leadership, the President is the highest official in the country. Hisis the responsibility for implementing the Constitution and acting as the head of theexecutive, except in matters directly concerned with (the office of) the Leadership.

Article 114• Head of government term length• Head of government term limits

The President is elected for a four-year term by the direct vote of the people. Hisreelection for a successive term is permissible only once.

Article 115

The President must be elected from among religious and political personalitiespossessing the following qualifications:

• Eligibility for head of government

Iranian origin; Iranian nationality; administrative capacity and resourcefulness; agood past-record; trustworthiness and piety; convinced belief in the fundamentalprinciples of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the official madhhab of the country.

Article 116

Candidates nominated for the post of President must declare their candidatureofficially. Law lays down the manner in which the President is to be elected.

Article 117• Head of government selection

The President is elected by an absolute majority of votes polled by the voters. But ifnone of the candidates is able to win such a majority in the first round, voting willtake place a second time on Friday of the following week. In the second round onlythe two candidates who received greatest number of votes in the first round willparticipate. If, however, some of the candidates securing greatest votes in the firstround withdraw from the elections, the final choice will be between the twocandidates who won greater number of votes than all the remaining candidates.



Article 118• Head of government selection

Responsibility for the supervision of the election of the President lies with theGuardian Council, as stipulated in Article 99. But before the establishment of thefirst Guardian Council, however, it lies with a supervisory body to be constituted bylaw.

Article 119

The election of a new President must take place no later than one month before theend of the term of the outgoing President. In the interim period before the electionof the new President and the end of the term of the outgoing President, the outgoingPresident will perform the duties of the President.

Article 120

In case any of the candidates whose suitability is established in terms of thequalifications listed above should die within ten days before polling day, theelections will be postponed for two weeks. If one of the candidates securing greatestnumber of votes dies in the intervening period between the first and second roundsof voting, the period for holding (the second round of) the election will be extendedfor two weeks.

Article 121

The President must take the following oath and affix his signature to it at a session ofthe Islamic Consultative Assembly in the presence of the head of the judicial powerand the members of the Guardian Council:

• Human dignity• Political theorists/figures• God or other deities• Oaths to abide by constitution

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful, I, as President, swear, in thepresence of the Noble Qur'an and the people of Iran, by God, the Exalted andAlmighty, that I will guard the official religion of the country, the order of the IslamicRepublic and the Constitution of the country; that I will devote all my capacities andabilities to the fulfilment of the responsibilities that I have assumed; that I willdedicate myself to the service of the people, the honour of the country, thepropagation of religion and morality, and the support of truth and justice, refrainingfrom every kind of arbitrary behaviour; that I will protect the freedom and dignity ofall citizens and the rights that the Constitution has accorded the people; that inguarding the frontiers and the political, economic, and cultural independence of thecountry I will not shirk any necessary measure; that, seeking help from God andfollowing the Prophet of Islam and the infallible Imams (peace be upon them), I willguard, as a pious and selfless trustee, the authority vested in me by the people as asacred trust, and transfer it to whomever the people may elect after me.

Article 122

The President, within the limits of his powers and duties, which he has by virtue ofthis Constitution or other laws, is responsible to the people, the Leader and theIslamic Consultative Assembly.


The President is obliged to sign legislation approved by the Assembly or the result ofa referendum, after the (related) legal procedures have been completed and it hasbeen communicated to him. After signing, he must forward it to the responsibleauthorities for implementation.



Article 124• Deputy executive

The President may have deputies for the performance of his constitutional duties.

With the approval of the President, the first deputy of the President shall be vestedwith the responsibilities of administering the affairs of the Council of Ministers andcoordination of functions of other deputies.

Article 125• Foreign affairs representative• Head of government powers• International law• International organizations• Treaty ratification• Legal status of treaties

The President or his legal representative has the authority to sign treaties, protocols,contracts, and agreements concluded by the Iranian government with othergovernments, as well as agreements pertaining to international organizations, afterobtaining the approval of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Article 126• Head of government powers

The President is responsible for national planning and budget and state employmentaffairs and may entrust the administration of these to others.


In special circumstances, subject to approval of the Council of Ministers, thePresident may appoint one or more special representatives with specific powers. Insuch cases, the decisions of his representative(s) will be considered as the same asthose of the President and the Council of Ministers.

Article 128• Foreign affairs representative• Head of government powers

The ambassadors shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the foreignminister and approval of the President. The President signs the credentials ofambassadors and receives the credentials presented by the ambassadors of theforeign countries.


The award of state decorations is a prerogative of the President.

Article 130

The President shall submit his resignation to the Leader and shall continueperforming his duties until his resignation is not accepted.

Article 131• Deputy executive• Head of government replacement

In case of death, dismissal, resignation, absence, or illness lasting longer than twomonths of the President, or when his term in office has ended and a new presidenthas not been elected due to some impediments, or similar other circumstances, hisfirst deputy shall assume, with the approval of the Leader, the powers and functionsof the President. The Council, consisting of the Speaker of the Islamic ConsultativeAssembly, head of the judicial power, and the first deputy of the President, is obligedto arrange for a new President to be elected within a maximum period of fifty days.In case of death of the first deputy to the President, or other matters which preventhim to perform his duties, or when the President does not have a first deputy, theLeader shall appoint another person in his place.



Article 132

During the period when the powers and responsibilities of the President areassigned to his first deputy or the other person in accordance with Article 131,neither can the ministers be interpellated nor can a vote of no-confidence be passedagainst them. Also, neither can any step be undertaken for a review of theConstitution, nor a national referendum be held.

SECTION 2: The President and Ministers

Article 133• Establishment of cabinet/ministers• Cabinet selection

Ministers will be appointed by the President and will be presented to the Assemblyfor a vote of confidence. With the change of Assembly, a new vote of confidence willnot be necessary. The number of ministers and the jurisdiction of each will bedetermined by law.

Article 134

The President is the head of the Council of Ministers. He supervises the work of theministers and takes all necessary measures to coordinate the decisions of thegovernment. With the cooperation of the ministers, he determines the programmeand policies of the government and implements the laws.

• Head of government powers

In the case of discrepancies, or interferences in the constitutional duties of thegovernment agencies, the decision of the Council of Ministers at the request of thePresident shall be binding provided it does not call for an interpretation of ormodification in the laws.

The President is responsible to the Assembly for the actions of the Council ofMinisters.

Article 135

The ministers shall continue in office unless they are dismissed, or given a vote of noconfidence by the Assembly as a result of their interpellation, or a motion for a voteof no-confidence against them.

The resignation of the Council of Ministers, or that of each of them shall besubmitted to the President, and the Council of Ministers shall continue to functionuntil such time as the new government is appointed.

The President can appoint a caretaker for a maximum period of three months for theministries having no minister.

Article 136• Cabinet removal

The President can dismiss the ministers and in such a case he must obtain a vote ofconfidence for the new minister(s) from the Assembly. In case half of the members ofthe Council of Ministers are changed after the government has received its vote ofconfidence from the Assembly, the government must seek a fresh vote of confidencefrom the Assembly.



Article 137• Cabinet removal

Each of the ministers is responsible for his duties to the President and the Assembly,but in matters approved by the Council of Ministers as a whole, he is also responsiblefor the actions of the others.

Article 138• Powers of cabinet

In addition to instances in which the Council of Ministers or a single minister isauthorised to frame procedures for the implementation of laws, the Council ofMinisters has the right to lay down rules, regulations, and procedures for performingits administrative duties, ensuring the implementation of laws, and setting upadministrative bodies. Each of the ministers also has the right to frame regulationsand issue circulars in matters within his jurisdiction and in conformity with thedecisions of the Council of Ministers. However, the content of all such regulationsmust not violate the letter or the spirit of the law.

The government can entrust any portion of its task to the commissions composed ofsome ministers. The decisions of such commissions within the rules will be bindingafter the endorsement of the President.

The ratifications and the regulations of the government and the decisions of thecommissions mentioned under this Article shall also be brought to the notice of theSpeaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly while being communicated forimplementation so that in the event he finds them contrary to law, he may send thesame stating the reason for reconsideration by the Council of Ministers.

Article 139

The settlement of claims relating to public and state property or the referral thereofto arbitration is in every case dependent on the approval of the Council of Ministers,and the Assembly must be informed of these matters. In cases where one party tothe dispute is a foreigner, as well as in important cases that are purely domestic, theapproval of the Assembly must also be obtained. Law will specify the important casesintended here.

Article 140• Head of government removal

Allegations of common crimes against the President, his deputies, and the ministerswill be investigated in common courts of justice with the knowledge of the IslamicConsultative Assembly.

Article 141• Eligibility for cabinet• Head of government's role in the

legislature• Outside professions of legislators

The President, the deputies to the President, ministers, and government employeescannot hold more than one government position, and it is forbidden for them to holdany kind of additional post in institutions of which all or a part of the capital belongsto the government or public institutions, to be a member of the Islamic ConsultativeAssembly, to practise the profession of attorney or legal adviser, or to hold the postof president, managing director, or membership of the board of directors of any kindof private company, with the exception of cooperative companies affiliated to thegovernment departments and institutions.

Teaching positions in universities and research institutions are exempted from thisrule.



Article 142

The assets of the Leader, the President, the deputies to the President, and ministers,as well as those of their spouses and offspring, are to be examined before and aftertheir term of office by the head of the judicial power, in order to ensure they havenot increased in a fashion contrary to law.

SECTION 3: The Army and the Islamic Revolution GuardsCorps

Article 143

The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran is responsible for guarding theindependence and territorial integrity of the country, as well as the order of theIslamic Republic.

Article 144

The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran must be an Islamic Army, i.e., committed toIslamic ideology and the people, and must recruit into its service individuals whohave faith in the objectives of the Islamic Revolution and are devoted to the cause ofrealizing its goals.

Article 145

No foreigner will be accepted into the Army or security forces of the country.

Article 146

The establishment of any kind of foreign military base in Iran, even for peacefulpurposes, is forbidden.

Article 147

In time of peace, the government must utilize the personnel and technical equipmentof the Army in relief operations, and for educational and productive ends, and theConstruction Jihad, while fully observing the criteria of Islamic justice and ensuringthat such utilization does not harm the combat-readiness of the Army.

Article 148

All forms of personal use of military vehicles, equipment, and other means, as well astaking advantage of Army personnel as personal servants and chauffeurs or insimilar capacities, are forbidden.

Article 149• Selection of active-duty commanders

Promotions in military rank and their withdrawal take place in accordance with thelaw.



Article 150

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, organized in the early days of the triumph ofthe Revolution, is to be maintained so that it may continue in its role of guarding theRevolution and its achievements. The scope of the duties of this Corps, and its areasof responsibility, in relation to the duties and areas of responsibility of the otherarmed forces, are to be determined by law, with emphasis on brotherly cooperationand harmony among them.

Article 151• Right to bear arms

In accordance with the noble Qur'anic verse:

[Persian Text omitted]

Prepare against them whatever force you are able to muster, and horses ready forbattle, striking fear into God's enemy and your enemy, and others beyond themunknown to you but known to God ... (8:60).

the government is obliged to provide a programme of military training, with allrequisite facilities, for all its citizens, in accordance with the Islamic criteria, in such away that all citizens will always be able to engage in the armed defence of the IslamicRepublic of Iran. The possession of arms, however, requires the granting ofpermission by the competent authorities.

CHAPTER X: Foreign Policy

Article 152• Right to self determination

The foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based upon the rejection of allforms of domination, both the exertion of it and submission to it, the preservation ofthe independence of the country in all respects and its territorial integrity, thedefence of the rights of all Muslims, non-alignment with respect to the hegemonistsuperpowers, and the maintenance of mutually peaceful relations with allnon-belligerent States.

Article 153• Ownership of natural resources

Any form of agreement resulting in foreign control over the natural resources,economy, army, or culture of the country, as well as other aspects of the national life,is forbidden.

Article 154• Right to self determination

The Islamic Republic of Iran has as its ideal human felicity throughout human society,and considers the attainment of independence, freedom, and rule of justice and truthto be the right of all people of the world. Accordingly, while scrupulously refrainingfrom all forms of interference in the internal affairs of other nations, it supports thejust struggles of the mustad'afun against the mustakbirun in every corner of theglobe.



Article 155• Protection of stateless persons

The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran may grant political asylum to thosewho seek it unless they are regarded as traitors and saboteurs according to the lawsof Iran.

CHAPTER XI: The Judiciary

Article 156

The judiciary is an independent power, the protector of the rights of the individualand society, responsible for the implementation of justice, and entrusted with thefollowing duties:

• Judicial independence

1. investigating and passing judgement on grievances, violations of rights, andcomplaints; the resolving of litigation; the settling of disputes; and thetaking of all necessary decisions and measures in probate matters as thelaw may determine;

2. restoring public rights and promoting justice and legitimate freedoms:

3. supervising the proper enforcement of laws;

4. uncovering crimes; prosecuting, punishing, and chastising criminals; andenacting the penalties and provisions of the Islamic penal code;

5. taking suitable measures to prevent the occurrence of crime and to reformcriminals.

Article 157

In order to fulfil the responsibilities of the judiciary power in all the mattersconcerning judiciary, administrative and executive areas, the Leader shall appoint ajust Mujtahid well versed in judiciary affairs and possessing prudence andadministrative abilities as the head of the judiciary power for a period of five yearswho shall be the highest judicial authority.

Article 158

The head of the judiciary branch is responsible for the following:

1. Establishment of the organizational structure necessary for theadministration of justice commensurate with the responsibilitiesmentioned under Article 156.

2. Drafting judiciary bills appropriate for the Islamic Republic.



3. Employment of just and worthy judges, their dismissal, appointment,transfer, assignment to particular duties, promotions, and carrying outsimilar administrative duties, in accordance with the law.

• Supreme court selection• Supreme/ordinary court judge removal• Ordinary court selection

Article 159• Structure of the courts

The courts of justice are the official bodies to which all grievances and complaintsare to be referred. The formation of courts and their jurisdiction is to be determinedby law.

Article 160

The Minister of Justice owes responsibility in all matters concerning the relationshipbetween the judiciary, on the one hand, and the executive and legislative branches,on the other hand. He will be elected from among the individuals proposed to thePresident by the head of the judiciary branch.

The head of the judiciary may delegate full authority to the Minister of Justice infinancial and administrative areas and for employment of personnel other thanjudges in which case the Minister of Justice shall have the same authority andresponsibility as those possessed by the other ministers in their capacity as thehighest ranking government executives.

Article 161• Judicial precedence• Structure of the courts• Supreme court powers

The Supreme Court is to be formed for the purpose of supervising the correctimplementation of the laws by the courts, ensuring uniformity of judicial procedure,and fulfilling any other responsibilities assigned to it by law, on the basis ofregulations to be established by the head of the judicial branch.

Article 162• Attorney general• Eligibility for supreme court judges• Supreme court selection• Supreme court term length

The chief of the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor-General must both be justmujtahids well versed in judicial matters. They will be nominated by the head of thejudiciary branch for a period of five years, in consultation with the judges of theSupreme Court.

Article 163• Eligibility for administrative judges• Minimum age of supreme court judges• Eligibility for supreme court judges• Supreme court selection

The conditions and qualifications to be fulfilled by a judge will be determined by law,in accordance with the criteria of fiqh.

Article 164• Supreme court term length• Supreme/ordinary court judge removal

A judge cannot be removed, whether temporarily or permanently, from the post heoccupies except by trial and proof of his guilt, or in consequence of a violationentailing his dismissal. A judge cannot be transferred or redesignated without hisconsent, except in cases when the interest of society necessitates it, that too, withthe decision of the head of the judiciary branch after consultation with the chief ofthe Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General. The periodic transfer and rotationof judges will be in accordance with general regulations to be laid down by law.



Article 165• Right to public trial

Trials are to be held openly and members of the public may attend without anyrestriction; unless the court determines that an open trial would be detrimental topublic morality or discipline, or if in case of private disputes, both the parties requestnot to hold open hearing.

Article 166• Supreme court opinions

The verdicts of courts must be well reasoned out and documented with reference tothe articles and principles of the law in accordance with which they are delivered.

Article 167

The judge is bound to endeavour to judge each case on the basis of the codified law.In case of the absence of any such law, he has to deliver his judgement on the basis ofauthoritative Islamic sources and authentic fatawa. He, on the pretext of the silenceof or deficiency of law in the matter, or its brevity or contradictory nature, cannotrefrain from admitting and examining cases and delivering his judgement.

Article 168• Jury trials required

Political and press offences will be tried openly and in the presence of a jury, incourts of justice. The manner of the selection of the jury, its powers, and thedefinition of political offences, will be determined by law in accordance with theIslamic criteria.

Article 169• Protection from ex post facto laws

No act or omission may be regarded as a crime with retrospective effect on the basisof a law framed subsequently.

Article 170• Establishment of administrative courts

Judges of courts are obliged to refrain from executing statutes and regulations of thegovernment that are in conflict with the laws or the norms of Islam, or lie outside thecompetence of the executive power. Everyone has the right to demand theannulment of any such regulation from the Court of Administrative Justice.

Article 171

Whenever an individual suffers moral or material loss as the result of a default orerror of the judge with respect to the subject matter of a case or the verdictdelivered, or the application of a rule in a particular case, the defaulting judge muststand surety for the reparation of that loss in accordance with the Islamic criteria, ifit be a case of default. Otherwise, losses will be compensated for by the State. In allsuch cases, the repute and good standing of the accused will be restored.



Article 172• Establishment of military courts

Military courts will be established by law to investigate crimes committed inconnection with military or security duties by members of the Army, theGendarmerie, the police, and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. They will be triedin public courts, however, for common crimes or crimes committed while serving thedepartment of justice in executive capacity. The office of military prosecutor and themilitary courts form part of the judiciary and are subject to the same principles thatregulate the judiciary.

Article 173• Ultra-vires administrative actions• Establishment of administrative courts• Right of petition

In order to investigate the complaints, grievances, and objections of the people withrespect to government officials, organs, and statutes, a court will be established tobe known as the Court of Administrative Justice under the supervision of the head ofthe judiciary branch. The jurisdiction, powers, and mode of operation of this courtwill be laid down by law.

Article 174

In accordance with the right of the judiciary to supervise the proper conducting ofaffairs and the correct implementation of laws by the administrative organs of thegovernment, an organization will be constituted under the supervision of the head ofthe judiciary branch to be known as the National General Inspectorate. The powersand duties of this organization will be determined by law.

CHAPTER XII: Radio and Television

Article 175• State operation of the media• Media commission• Freedom of press• Radio• Television The freedom of expression and dissemination of thoughts in the Radio and

Television of the Islamic Republic of Iran must be guaranteed in keeping with theIslamic criteria and the best interests of the country.

The appointment and dismissal of the head of the Radio and Television of the IslamicRepublic of Iran rests with the Leader. A council consisting of two representativeseach of the President, the head of the judiciary branch and the Islamic ConsultativeAssembly shall supervise the functioning of this organization.

The policies and the manner of managing the organization and its supervision will bedetermined by law.



CHAPTER XIII: Supreme Council for NationalSecurity

Article 176• Advisory bodies to the head of state

In order to safeguarding the national interests and preserving the Islamic Revolution,the territorial integrity and national sovereignty, a Supreme Council for NationalSecurity presided over by the President shall be constituted to fulfil the followingresponsibilities:

1. Determining the defence and national security policies within theframework of general policies determined by the Leader.

2. Coordination of activities in the areas relating to politics, intelligence,social, cultural and economic fields in regard to general defence andsecurity policies.

3. Exploitation of materialistic and intellectual resources of the country forfacing the internal and external threats.

The Council shall consist of: heads of three branches of the government, chief of theSupreme Command Council of the Armed Forces, the officer in charge of theplanning and budget affairs, two representatives nominated by the Leader, ministersof foreign affairs, interior, and information, a minister related with the subject, andthe highest ranking officials from the Armed Forces and the Islamic Revolution'sGuards Corps.

Commensurate with its duties, the Supreme Council for National Security shall formsub councils such as Defence Sub-council and National Security Sub-council. EachSub council will be presided over by the President or a member of the SupremeCouncil for National Security appointed by the President.

The scope of authority and responsibility of the Sub-councils will be determined bylaw and their organizational structure will be approved by the Supreme Council forNational Defence.

The decisions of the Supreme Council for National Security shall be effective afterthe confirmation by the Leader.

CHAPTER XIV: The Revision of theConstitution

Article 177• Constitution amendment procedure

The revision of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, whenever needed bythe circumstances, will be done in the following manner:



The Leader issues an edict to the President after consultation with the Nation'sExigency Council stipulating the amendments or additions to be made by the Councilfor Revision of the Constitution which consists of:

1. Members of the Guardian Council.

2. Heads of the three branches of the government.

3. Permanent members of the Nation's Exigency Council.

4. Five members from among the Assembly of Experts.

5. Ten representatives selected by the Leader.

6. Three representatives from the Council of Ministers.

7. Three representatives from the judiciary branch.

8. Ten representatives from among the members of the Islamic ConsultativeAssembly.

9. Three representatives from among the university professors.

The method of working, manner of selection and the terms and conditions of theCouncil shall be determined by law.

The decisions of the Council, after the confirmation and signatures of the Leader,shall be valid if approved by an absolute majority vote in a national referendum.

The provisions of Article 59 of the Constitution shall not apply to the referendum forthe "Revision of the Constitution."

The contents of the Articles of the Constitution related to the Islamic character ofthe political system; the basis of all the rules and regulations according to Islamiccriteria; the religious footing; the objectives of the Islamic Republic of Iran; thedemocratic character of the government; the wilayat al-'amr; the Imamate ofUmmah; and the administration of the affairs of the country based on nationalreferenda, official religion of Iran [Islam] and the school [Twelver Ja'fari] areunalterable.

• Unamendable provisions



Topic index

A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 42Advisory bodies to the head of state

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 32Approval of general legislation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Attorney general

B

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Budget bills

C

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 35Cabinet removal

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Cabinet selection

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Claim of executive independence

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Conditions for revoking citizenship

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Constitution amendment procedure

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 27, 30Constitutional court powers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Constitutional court selection

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Constitutional court term length

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Constitutional interpretation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 27Constitutionality of legislation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Crimes of the previous regime

D

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Deputy executive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Designation of commander in chief

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7, 24Duty to obey the constitution

E

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Economic plans

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Eligibility for administrative judges

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Eligibility for cabinet

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Eligibility for const court judges

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Eligibility for first chamber

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Eligibility for head of government

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Eligibility for head of state

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Eligibility for supreme court judges

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 23Emergency provisions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Equality regardless of gender

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Equality regardless of language

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Equality regardless of race

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Equality regardless of skin color

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40, 41Establishment of administrative courts

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Establishment of cabinet/ministers



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Establishment of constitutional court

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Establishment of military courts

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Extraordinary legislative sessions

F

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21First chamber representation quotas

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23First chamber reserved policy areas

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21First chamber selection

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Foreign affairs representative

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 15Free education

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Freedom of assembly

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Freedom of association

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 41Freedom of press

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Freedom of religion

G

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13General guarantee of equality

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 5, 8, 9, 32God or other deities

H

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33, 34Head of government powers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 29, 35Head of government removal

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Head of government replacement

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 30, 31, 32Head of government selection

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Head of government term length

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Head of government term limits

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Head of government's role in the legislature

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Head of state powers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Head of state removal

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Head of state replacement

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 29Head of state selection

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9, 14, 32Human dignity

I

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Immunity of legislators

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Inalienable rights

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 23Initiation of general legislation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 33International law

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33International organizations

J

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Judicial independence

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Judicial precedence

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Jury trials required



L

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Leader of first chamber

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 33Legal status of treaties

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 24Legislative committees

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Legislative oversight of the executive

M

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Media commission

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Mentions of social class

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Minimum age for first chamber

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Minimum age of supreme court judges

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6Motives for writing constitution

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 27, 28Municipal government

N

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 31Name/structure of executive(s)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19National capital

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13National flag

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28National vs subnational laws

O

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 32Oaths to abide by constitution

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13Official or national languages

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Official religion

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Ordinary court selection

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Outside professions of legislators

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 37Ownership of natural resources

P

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4, 10, 13, 32Political theorists/figures

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Power to declare/approve war

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Power to pardon

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Powers of cabinet

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Presumption of innocence in trials

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Principle of no punishment without law

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Prohibition of capital punishment

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Prohibition of cruel treatment

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Prohibition of torture

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Protection from ex post facto laws

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Protection from expropriation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Protection from unjustified restraint

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Protection of environment

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Protection of language use

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Protection of stateless persons



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Public or private sessions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Publication of deliberations

Q

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Quorum for legislative sessions

R

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 22, 29, 41Radio

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Reference to art

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Reference to country's history

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 9Reference to fraternity/solidarity

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 17Reference to science

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 27Referenda

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Requirements for birthright citizenship

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Requirements for naturalization

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Restrictions on political parties

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Restrictions on voting

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 41Right of petition

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Right to bear arms

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 17Right to choose occupation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Right to counsel

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Right to culture

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Right to development of personality

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Right to establish a business

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Right to form political parties

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Right to found a family

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 14Right to health care

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Right to join trade unions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Right to life

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Right to own property

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Right to privacy

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Right to public trial

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Right to renounce citizenship

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Right to rest and leisure

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 37Right to self determination

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 15, 16Right to shelter

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 14, 17Right to work

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Rights of children

S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Secrecy of legislative votes

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Secret ballot

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Selection of active-duty commanders

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Size of first chamber



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 17, 41State operation of the media

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14State support for children

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14State support for the disabled

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14State support for the elderly

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14State support for the unemployed

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6, 7, 10, 23, 26, 31Status of religious law

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 21Structure of legislative chamber(s)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Structure of the courts

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 27, 28Subsidiary unit government

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Supreme court opinions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Supreme court powers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Supreme court selection

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Supreme court term length

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Supreme/ordinary court judge removal

T

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 29, 41Television

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Term length for first chamber

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 33Treaty ratification

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Type of government envisioned

U

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Ultra-vires administrative actions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Unamendable provisions

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